Picture ensemble



Oct. 25, 1960 D. M. KNox PICTURE ENSEMBLE s sheets-sheet] 1 j p.. gz a Filed OCT.. 6, 1959 fyi /e f/O TZ lll' Oct. 25, 1960 D. M. KNOX PICTURE ENSEMBLE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 6, 1959 INVENTOR 0M Af. Km

ATTORNEYS Oct. 25, 1960 D. M. KNOX PICTURE ENSEMBLE 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Oct. 6, 1959 NVENTOR WMM@ A TORNEYS I PICTURE ENSEMBLE David M. Knox, 310 E. 55th St., New York 22, NX.

Filed Oct. 6, 1959, Ser. No. 844,691

4 Claims. (Cl. 40--152) This invention relates in general to picture display devices and in particular relates to an ensemble for supporting a picture so that the plane of the picture is tilted with respect to a Vertical and/or a horizontal surface.

In its broadest aspect the invention contemplates an assembly comprising a generally annular-shaped frame or outer molding of desired form and face contour and provided with an aperture carrying a picture together with means for supporting the picture so that the plane of the picture is tilted with respect to the plane of the face of the outer molding. In the preferred embodiment the invention contemplates that the ensemble be arranged so as to be supportable on a vertical member such as a wall and/or on a horizontal member such as a table.

The angularity referred to above includes, for example, the plane of the picture facing up or down with respect to a horizontal surface and facing to the left or to the right with respect to a vertical surface and combinations of both such horizontal and vertical orientation.

There are several important and highly desirable advantages resulting from the picture orientation. This feature permits the picture frame or ensemble to beV displayed above or below the usual eye level position and this provides a distinct advantage for the display of pictures in art museums, galleries and the like where the full picture expression in either the high or low position is as readily discernible as in the eye level position.

So too, the invention is highly desirable in commercial advertising for the display of pictures depicting historical events relating to some particular trade, profession or business. For example, the invention is well suitedfor the ydisplay of the well-known'apothecary pictures which may occupy an elevated position such as on the top of a cabinet or a lower position such as in a window. In either case the invention provides for the picture to be inclined so as to obtain the most effective view.

rllhe angular-ity feature imparts to the frame or ensemble a special versatility for modern day decor or decorative planning. The ensemble may be suspended from av wall or other vertically extending member or the same mayV be set up on furniture, shelves and thelike with the picture in either case beingV oriented as suits the particular need. For example, a plurality of assemblies may be placed inv an exhibit group either horizontally or vertically mounted with the respective pictures oriented so that substantially the same face view is afforded for each' picture and/or a novel and pleasing visual eiect results from the severalforientations. So too, the'ensemble of the invention is especially adaptable for use in unusual places, Vfor example, near the corner of a room with the frame or outer molding and picture both suitably tilted.

Inone. aspect the invention contemplates a picture ensemble with an outer frame or molding having a viewing aperture within which are disposed a pair of inner moldings supporting a picture so that theplane of the picture can be oriented to face up or down with the change in States Patent orientation or tilting preferably being accomplished by removing and repositioning the moldings in the aperture.

In another aspect the invention contemplates a picture ensemble with an outer frame or molding having a viewing aperture within which are disposed a pair of inner moldings supporting a picture so that the plane of the picture can be oriented to face left or right with the change in orientation or tilting preferably being accomplished by removing and repositioning the moldings in the aperture.

In another aspect the invention contemplates a picture ensemble with an outer frame or molding having a viewing aperture within which are a pair of inner moldings supporting a picture so that the plane of the picture can be oriented to face down and to the left or up and to the right, etc., with the change in orientation being accomplished by removing and repositioning the moldings.

In another aspect the invention contemplates a picture ensemble with an outer frame or molding having a viewing aperture together with two pairs of inner moldings, the pairs being alternatively useable for supporting a picture in a viewing position with one pair supporting the picture so that the same faces up or down and the other supporting the picture so that the same faces left or right with the change in facing being accomplished by removing and repositioning the moldings in the aperture.

In still another aspect the invention contemplates a picture ensemble with an outer molding having a viewing aperture together with two pairs of inner moldings, one pair being for use in supporting the picture so that it faces up or down and the other pair being used for supporting the picture so that it faces left or right and the moldings being arranged to be interchangeable so that the picture may have a composite facing, i.e., left and up or down, and right and up or down.

Ihe preferred construction of the invention together with certain other features, objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description and drawings wherein:

Figure l is a front view of a picture ensemble constructed in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 is a vertical section taken on the line 2-2 of Figure l1;

Figure 3 is a horizontal section taken on the line 3 3 of Figure l;

Figure 4'is an isometric View illustrating certain of the components of Figure l and the manner in which the same are adapted to hold a picture in a tilted position;

Figure 5 is an isometric View of an arrangement of certain components of Figure l which are adapted to support a picture in still another tilted position;

Figure 6 is an isometric View of a pair of inner moldings arranged to-provide a composite tilt to the picture;

Figure 7 is a horizontal section taken on the line 7--7 ofv Figure 6; and

Figure 8 is a vertical section taken on the line 8-8 of Figure 6.

Before proceeding with the details of construction it is desired to briefly illustrate in connection with Figure l the various orientations or picture faoings mentioned above. In Figure l, forexample, assume that the frame is mounted on a vertical wall. or disposed on a at horizontal surface. In looking at the ensemble of- Figure l, if the picture is oriented so that the right-hand side is nearest the observer and the left-hand side is farthest from the observer, the picture is said to be facing left. On the other hand, if the left-hand side is nearest and the right-hand side is farthest from the observer, the picture is said to be facing right. Where the top side is nearest the observer and the lower side is farthest from the observer, the picture is said to be facing down. Where the top side is farthest from vthe observer and the bottom side is nearest the observer, the picture is said to be facing up. Where the upper right-hand side is nearest the observer and the lower left-hand side is farthest from the observer, the picture is said to-have a .compositeorientat-ion or tilt, specifically facing left and down. The other composite tilts will be readily apparent. Y Y Y In Figure l I have illustrated an outer frame or molding 1 which is comprised of several members 2 having identical cross sections and fastened together at the miter joints 3. As best illustrated in FigureZ, the molding has an outerA contoured Viewing faceV 4, the outer extremity 5 of which lies in the plane P-1. The molding is constructed to form an aperture 6 which in the embodiment shown is of considerabledepth. y The plane P-l which may be termed the Viewing plane extends across the aperture 6.

The ensemble is adaptedto be mounted on a wall and for this purpose the surfacing 7 (comprising the far edges in the molding 1) may be used. A plane P-2 through the surface 7 is parallel the plane P-l. Where the ensemble is to be mounted on a table or the like, the surfacing comprising the portions 8 and 9 maybe used. It will be noted that both of the surfaces 8 and 9 are co.- planar with one another. A plane P-3 through the surfaces 8 and 9 lis normal to plane P-2 and to the viewing plane P1.

It will be apparent that the outer molding may be set up or supported for picture display withthe long sides running horizontally or vertically as shown in Figure Vl.

'coplanan The aperture 6 is rectangular in shape and is comprised of planar surfaces 1t), 11, 12 and 13. The surfaces 10 and 11 are parallel to each other and the surfaces 12 and 13 are parallel to each other. Adjacent surfaces Yare normal to each other, i.e., 10J-12, lil-,13, V8-12 and 8-13. The surfaces 10, 11, 12 and 13 are normal to the planes P-l and P-2.

A picture assembly is mounted within the outer molding so that'a plane P-4 is tilted or angled with respect to the planes P1, P-2, P-3. Thus it will be apparent that where the ensemble is supported on a vertical surface such as a wall, the face of the picture will be oriented downwardly and the ensemble may be mounted considerably above the conventional eye level position so Y that the line of sight to the'picture is substantially normal to the face. Y

The manner is which the picture is supported within Vthe outer moldingV to obtain the above orientation (todifferent face effects and/or different depths of picture 4 together, form a rectangular prism which is tted into the aperture so that the plane of separation between the moldings is inclined to the viewing plane. Thus a picture supported in the plane of separation is inclined to the viewing plane. The pair of inner moldings is formed as if the same were made by taking a rectangular prism and then slicing the same in a plane inclined to two opposite edges.

Preferably the invention contemplates that the ensemble comprise two pairs of such inner moldings, one pair for effecting an up or down inclination and the other pair for a left or lright inclination and combinations of the molding effecting composite inclinations.

In the description below the pair of moldings having a picture or picture assembly therebetween may be referred to as the working moldings and the other pair may be referred to as the storage moldings. This is done for ease of description. The term does not suggest that the storage moldings are dormant since these moldings perform the function of helping to properly support the working moldings in the ensemble. Y

In Figure l the moldings 19 and 20 are in the storage position and these will be described first. The moldings 19 and 20 are disposed `toward the back part of the aperture 10 and are interengaged with one another and with the back member 14, rigid plate 15, resilient member 16, leveling plate 17 and mat 18, the elements 15-18 having a structure and function as described in my copending application Ser. No. 792,295. Y

The molding 19 is rectangular in shape having outer edges 21, 22, 23 and 24 which respectively fit closely with the surfaces 10-13 forming the aperture 6. The fit of the edges is such that the molding may be easily inserted and removed. It will be observed that opposite edges of the molding are parallel to each other and adjacent edges are nonnal to each other. The molding 19 has a face side 25 which is normal to the edges and the side 25 abuts the mat 18. The molding 19 is formed with a rectangular-shaped aperture 26.

The molding 20 is also rectangular'in shape and has outer edges 27, 28, 29 and 30 which fit closely with the aperture sides 10-13. The molding has a planar surface 31 which is'normal to the edges 27-30 and the molding is formed with a rectangular-shaped aperturey 32. The outer edges 21-24 and' 27-30 maintain the face sides 25 and 31 parallel to the plane P-l.

The molding 19 has a planar surface 33 (Figure 3) which is cut on a bias so that the plane of the surface is inclined to the long edges 23 and 24. 'Ihe molding 20 has a planar surface 34 which is cut on Ia bias so that the plane of the surface is inclined to the long edges A29 and 30. These two surfaces abut each other. Y

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the two moldings 19 and 20 interengage through the bias surfaces 33 and 34 to form a rectangular prism separated along a plane inclined to the two opposite long edges. A plane containing the bias surfaces 33 or 34 will therefore be inclined to the viewing aperture of plane P-1. A picture supported between these surfaces will also be so inclined. Such picture inclination is accomplished by the moldings 35 and 36 which support the assembly A.

The molding 35 is rectangular in shape having outer edges 37, 38, 39 and 40 which t lclosely with the surface 10-13 of the aperture 6. The fit of the edges is such that the molding may be easily inserted'andremoved. Opposite edges of the molding are parallel to each other and adjacent edges are normal to each-other. The molding has a face side 41 which abuts the face side 31 of the molding 20. The face side 41 is normal to the edges 37--40. The molding has a rectangular-shaped aperture 42.

The molding 36 has edges 43, 44, 45 and 46 which tit closely within the aperture sides 10-13..V The molding has a planar surface 47 whichfis normal to the edges 43-46. Y

The molding 35 has a planar surface 48 which is cut on a bias so that the plane of the surface is inclined to the short edges 37 and 38. The molding 36 has a planar surface 49 which is cut on a bias so that the plane of the surface is inclined to the short edges 43 and 44.

As will be apparent, the picture assembly A is supported between the bias surfaces 48 and 49. The picture assembly comprises the glass 50, picture 51 and backing member 52.

A rider member 53 and a stop member 54, both of which have planar surfaces parallel to the viewing plane P-l, hold the various moldings and picture assembly within the outer molding. The rider and stop member function as described in my above-mentioned copending application.

With the picture assembly disposed between the surfaces 48 and 49, it will be apparent that the picture (as viewed in Figure 1) faces downwardly. In order to tilt or orient the plane of the picture so that the picture faces upwardly, it is merely necessary to remove the picture assembly and the moldings 35 and 36 and then replace Ithe same, but with the two moldings reversed 180 from the position as now shown, i.e., rotated 180 about a horizontal axis. In such position the surfaces 37 and 43 will be in contact with the aperture surface 11 and the surfaces 38 and 44 will be in contact with the aperture surface 10. The lowest part of the picture will be nearest the observer and the upper part of the picture will be farthest from the observer. Thus the picture is tilted upwardly so that the ensemble may be mounted in a position which is considerably below the eye level position.

Where it is desired for the picture to face toward the left or toward the right, the moldings 19 and 20 are used. To accomplish this all of the moldings 19, 20, 35 and 36 and the picture assembly are removed from the ensemble and then the moldings 35 and 36 are inserted so that they occupy the same position as the presently indicated positions of moldings 19 and 20. The bias surfaces 48 and 49 must be abutting. The picture assembly is sandwiched between the two moldings 19 and 20 and the same are re-inserted in the ensemble. If the two moldings are re-inserted so that the surfaces 24 and 30 contact the aperture side 13 and the edges 23 and 29 contact the aperture side 12, the picture will face to the right as viewed in Figure l.

If it is desired to make the picture face to the left, it is only necessary to remove the picture ensemble, and moldings 19 and 20 and then re-insert the same with both the picture and moldings reversed 180 from the position just described7 i.e., rotated 180 about a horizontal axis.

It will be observed that the apertures of the inner molding are of different size. This is to obtain a variety of face effects depending upon picture size as disclosed in my above-mentioned copending application. Also, it may be pointed out that the mat 18 or similar mats may form a part of the picture assembly to obtain still further different face effects.

From the foregoing then it will be apparent that I have provided an ensemble having a single outer frame together with two alternatively useable pairs of inner moldings by means of which I am able to orient the plane of the picture either up or down or left or right. This is brought about in general by the shape and configuration of the aperture 6 and the shape and configuration of the moldings 19, 20, 35 and 36, all of which cooperate to orient the biased surfaces 33, 34, 48 and 49 so that the planes containing these abutting surfaces are substantially at 90 with one another and that this relationship is maintained regardless of the positions of the moldings so long as the moldings are set up so that the biased surfaces engage or face each other.

In the foregoing description it was presumed that the nature of the picture required the ensemble to be oriented with its long side running vertically as in Figure l. In

6 many instances, however, the picture will require'the ensemble to be oriented so that the long side runs horizontally, for example, if the ensemble of Figure 1 is rotated counterclockwise.

With such orientation themoldings 19, 20, 35 and 36 are still useable to obtain up and down and left and right picture orientation as will be explained in connection with Figure 4.

Presume that the moldings 35V and 36 are in the storage position with the surfaces 39 and 45 in engagement with the `aperture surface 13 and that the moldings 19 and 20 are in the working position with the surfaces 223 and 39 in engagement with the `aperture surface I3. As will be apparent from an inspection of Figure-4, this Orients the picture assembly A so that the plane of the picture is tilted down. In order to make the plane Vof the picture tilt up, it is only necessary to reverse the moldings 19 and 20 180 from the position shown; to rotate the molding about a horizontal axis.

Where it is desired to have the picture face to the left or to the right, the moldings 19 and 20 and the moldings 35 `and 36 are interchanged, i.e.', with the moldings 19 and 20 in the storage position and the moldings 35 and 36 in the working position. Under these conditions if the moldings 35 and 36 are oriented so that their surfaces 39 and 45 engage the `aperture surface 13, the picture will face to the left. Where it is desired to make the picture face tov the right, the moldings 35 and 36 are reversed 180 from the position shown; ie., rotated about a horizontal axis.

In addition to the above-described tilting or orientation of the picture, the moldings 19; 20 and 35, 36 may be used for providing a combination tilt, for example, with the picture facing downwardly and to the left. This is done by interchanging individual moldings of the two pairs. For example, in Figure 5 the picture is oriented so that the same faces do-wnrand to the left. For accomplishing thisV the moldings 19 and 35 are oriented so that their surfaces 23 and 40V are in engagement with the aperture side 13. The biased surface 33 of the molding 19 is engaged with the planar surface 41 of the molding 35. The picture assembly A is supported on the tapered surface 48 of the molding 35. Thermoldings 20 `and 36Y are arranged so that their surfaces 29 and 45 are in engagement with the aperture side 12. The planar surface 47 of the molding 36 and the tapered surface 34 of the molding 20 abut one another and the tapered surface 49 of the molding 36 engages the picture assembly A.

For causing the picture to have a different tilt, for example, to the right and up, it is only necessary to reverse the positions of the moldings and picture assemblies 180, i.e., rotate about a horizontal axis. The other combinations of the picture tilting, for example, to the left and up and to the right and down, may be accomplished by pairing the molding 36 and 19 and 20 and 35.

In connection with the arrangement of the moldings as described in Figure 5, it will be observed that as between adjacent moldings the planar surface is engaged with a bias surface. This is somewhat different from the arrangement described in connection wiht Figures 2 and 4 whereas between adjacent moldings the two bias surfaces interengage. However, it will also be noted that the picture assembly A is supported between two bias surfaces, i.e., the bias surface 48 of the molding 35 and the bias surface 49 of the molding 36.

In Figure 6 I have shown a pair of moldings 55 and 56 which are configured to support a picture having a composite inclination, i.e., to the left up er down and to the right up or down.

For providing the composite tilt the moldings 55 and 56 are constructed so that when fitted together they form a rectangular prism with the plane of separation being inclined to both pairs of opposite edges; i.e., a

plane passing through or near any two of the remotest corners.

` yThemolding 55 comprises the planar surfaces 60 and 61 and the planar surfaces 62 and 63.` It will be observed that opposite edge surfaces are parallel to each other and adjacent edge surfaces are normal to each other. The molding also has a planar side face 64 which is normal to the edges. In addition the molding has a bias surface'65 which is inclined to each of the edge surfaces.

The molding 56 has planar edge surfaces 70 and 71 together with edge surfaces 72 and 73. Opposite edge surfaces are parallel to each other and adjacent edge surfaces are normal to each other. A side face surface 74 on the molding 56 is normal to the edges. The bias surface 75 is inclined to all of the edge surfaces. The picture assembly A is adapted to be supported between the bias surfaces 65 and 75.

Presuming that the surfaces 60 and 70 are in contact with the side 12 of the aperture, itwill be seen that the plane of the picture is oriented so that the picture faces down andto the left since the lower left-hand corner is farther from the observer than the upper right-hand corner." In order to arrange the moldings so that the picture faces to the left but upwardly, the moldings are reversed 180 from the picture shown, i.e., rotated around a vertical axis.

For right-hand facing the moldings are turned 180 (about a horizontal axis) Vand under this condition the plane of the picture will be tilted to the right and upwardly. To cause the picture to tilt to the right and downwardly, the moldings are rotated V180" about a vertical axis. Y I

From the foregoing it will be perfectly apparent that an ensemble may be constructed in accordance with the invention wherein the aperture of the outer molding is less in depth than shown and the aperture containing only a single pair of moldings such as 19 and 20 supported between the resilient piece 16 rand stop 54.

In the foregoing I have described the inner and outer moldings as being rectangular in shape; i.e., kwith two opposite sides longer than the other two sides. The .term rectangular, however, is used inthe generic sense, that is to say, as applying to inner and outer moldings wherein the sides are of equal length.

I claim:

1. In a picture ensemble: an outer molding formed with a viewing aperture; a pair of moldings disposed within said aperture, each molding having a planar side; a picture disposed between the two planar sides of said moldings; and means mounting the moldings in said aperture alternatively in two positions, in each position the sides inclining the plane of the picture with respect to said laxis and with the two picture inclinations being dijferent.

2. In a picture ensemble: an outer molding formed with a viewing aperture; Aa pair of storage moldings disposed Within said aperture, each molding having aplanar side; means mounting the storage molding in said aperture so that the two planar sides abut eachother ina storage plane which is inclined to Vvsaid axis; apair of working moldings disposed within said aperture, each working molding having a planar sidega picture disposed between the two planar sides `of'said working moldings; and means mounting the working moldings in said aperture so thatV said sides'incline the plane of the picture with respect to said axis and said storage plane and said picture plane are offset from each other about saidaxis.

3. In a picture ensemble: an outer molding formed with a rectangular-shaped viewing aperture defined in part by planar sides, the opposite sides being parallel and adjacent sides being normal to eachother and all the sides being parallel the axis of the aperture; apair of rectangular-shaped storage moldings disposed in said aperture, in each molding the edges being planar and op'- posite edges being parallel toeach other and adjacent edges being normal to each other, the edges of the molding mating with corresponding sides yof said aperture and one face side of each molding being normal to the` edges and the other face side being inclined to the sides and the two inclined sides of the moldings abutting one another; a pair o-f rectangular-shaped working moldings disposed in said aperture, in each said molding the edges being planar and opposite edges being parallel to each other and adjacent edges being normal to each other, the edges of the molding mating with corresponding sides of said aperture and one face side of'each working molding being normal to the edges and the other face side being inclined to the edges, said normal face sides of the storage and working moldings abutting one another; and Va'picture disposed between said' two inclined face'sides of the Working moldings. i

4. In a picture ensemble: an outer molding formed with a rectangular-shaped viewing aperture defined in part by planar sides, opposite sides being parallel and adjacent sides being normal to each other and all sides being parallel to the axis of the aperture; a pair of rectangular-shaped moldings disposed in said aperture, in each said molding the edges being planar and opposite edges being parallel to each other and adjacent edges being normal to each other, the edges of the molding mating with corresponding sides of said aperture and one face side of each molding being normal to the edges and the other face side being inclined to the edges; and a picture disposed between said two inclined face sides.

Manoil Feb. 13, 1934 Diekmann July 8, 1952 

